Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Why People Stoop as They Age

New patients at the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center commonly wonder why it is that people tend to bend forward as they age. While there are a few different causes, osteoporosis is the most common reason.

Osteoporosis is the weakening of bone tissue, which makes it more vulnerable to small fractures. As vertebrae crack, they collapse, causing the patient to lose height. Usually, the cracks are small enough that the patient will not feel as though they have broken a bone, although they may experience some discomfort. A few stress fractures won’t cause the patient to stoop much, but people who experience one fracture are at a high risk for others.

People who stoop over commonly develop difficulty breathing and walking. Practicing good posture is an important compensatory measure, but getting proper nutrition is essential for preventing osteoporosis. As part of our anti-aging regimen of treatments, we offer vitamin supplements and nutritional counseling. We also use chiropractic to provide patients with several means of relieving pain from stress fractures.

Weight bearing, impact exercise is a key ingredient throughout life to maintain healthy bone matrix.